Green Heart return promise despite 'weedy' fears

A new park in Nottingham city centre will be back in its full glory in the summer, a council has said, despite criticism some areas looked "weedy".

Nottingham's Green Heart, which opened in October 2024, is an area of flowers, ponds, trees and seating on part of the site of the old Broadmarsh shopping centre.

But former city council leader David Mellen said he was concerned whether there was adequate funding to maintain local parks after noticing planters looked uncared for.

While admitting the space was "a bit less impressive" - partly due to nearby demolition work - Nottingham City Council said maintenance was ongoing and it would regain its former appearance in the coming months.

The area has been planted with 34 trees, mature shrubs such as dogwoods and witch hazels, and a meadow containing wildflower poppies and primulas.

Pond areas promote wildlife and channel surface water, as well as invoking the original marshy nature of the area which gave it its name.

In November, it won the Landscape and Public Realm Project category at the Architects' Journal Architect Awards.

However, at a recent council meeting, Mellen flagged up concerns over the planters which line the side of Middle Hill, and sit within a children's play area in Collin Street.

He said: "My concern for all of that area is about maintenance.

"Have we had so much investment in the capital that actually we can't keep up with it? If you look at the planted areas going up Middle Hill, there are an awful lot of weeds in those beds.

"They are not looking good as the pictures, which I guess were taken a couple of years ago, and we must make sure – and perhaps with the better financial position – we actually maintain those places."

Claire Smith-Harris, council strategy and development manager, said the Green Heart had an overwhelmingingly positive reaction from public and witnesses a 438% increase in biodiversity.

Part of the reason for its current appearance was due to cutting back the flowers - a necessary part of managing the plants - she said.

Smith-Harris said: "It shouldn't go unnoticed there is a lot of building and demolition work that's taking place around and about, so any area is going to be subject to looking a bit less impressive.

"Having said that, it is not the right time of year for flowers to be blooming.

"But there is an ongoing maintenance regime to make sure we will see the same, or very similar flowers and blooms, and have the same experience in that space come next summer.

"Come February March you will start to see, just as you do in your own garden, plants and bulbs emerging and we will start the cycle again."

Smith-Harris also thanked the public for treating the area respectfully and reminded people to stick to the paths, especially if on bikes.

Erin McDaid, from Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, said: "The fact that Nottingham now has a natural greenspace full of flowers and wildlife where there was once part of a dilapidated shopping centre and busy road, demonstrates that nature can help unlock a once-in-a-generation transformation of our city.

"Nottingham City Council has come in for a lot of criticism in recent years but deserves real credit for embracing the nature-first approach to regeneration."

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